Program Description

Webster's MAT in Middle middle School school education degree program provides a strong
foundation in content know-ledge, early adolescent development, and contemporary research
supporting best practices. This degree emphasizes the principles and practices of
inquiry based learning, differentiated instruction, and culturally responsive teaching.

This graduate degree program is designed to lead to initial Missouri Teacher Certification
in Middle School Education.

Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

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Learning Outcomes

The goals of the MAT in middle school education are to cultivate graduates who are:

1. Knowledgeable LearnersCandidates in the middle school MAT will:

a. understand, demonstrate, and apply in-depth knowledge of their chosen discipline(s).b. embrace the synergy of collaborative learning.c. understand how to guide students through a period of significant developmental
change.

2. Informed InstructorsCandidates in the middle school MAT will:

a. develop curriculum and assessments based on the best educational theory, practice,
research, national, state, and content standards.b. motivate students to learn by implementing instruction based on the developmental
needs of young adolescents.c. Apply the best academic, social, and technological tools to address the needs of
the 21st century learner.

3. Reflective CollaboratorsCandidates in the middle school MAT will:

a. demonstrate collaborative skills in working with colleagues, students, and families
in schools and communities to support student learning.

4. Responsive EducatorsCandidates in the middle school MAT will:

a. recognize, appreciate, and respond to the needs of diverse learners based on theory
and research of developmental sciences.b. create a positive, productive learning community that responds to the needs of
individual learners.c. celebrate and integrate the talents and cultures of each student.

Policies & Procedures

The candidate should consult the Academic Policies section of the catalog for Webster University policies regarding course attendance;
conduct; grades; academic warning, probation, and dismissal; transcripts; and diploma.
Procedures for registration and drop, add, and withdrawal from a course are outlined
in the Enrollment section of this catalog.

Students must contact the Teacher Certification Officer in the School of Education
for a transcript evaluation and information regarding teacher certification. Successful
completion of a teacher work sample (TWS) is required prior to a recommendation for
an initial teacher certification from the university to the Missouri Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

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Program Curriculum

To achieve Missouri state certification in middle school education, students are required
to take more than 33 credit hours (plus 10 credit hours of apprentice teaching) and
should consult with the Teacher Certification Officer in the School of Education to
complete a transcript evaluation. This is necessary to identify the exact number of
credit hours that an MAT candidate will require to complete certification with the
degree.

Students must pass the state-required Content Area Exam before Apprentice Teaching.

Note: students are advised that the full initial certification in middle school (grades
5-9) may require more than the listed hours required for the MAT degree program, alone.

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Degree Requirements

The following courses are required for the MAT degree in Middle School Education.

The following courses must be taken while in-residence at Webster University.

Application and Eligibility to CMAT 5092, Middle School Practicum

Registration in CMAT 5092 Middle School Practicum must be approved by the student's
advisor by September 15 for Spring placement and by February 15 for Fall placement.
Applications for practicum are completed through TK20. Directions are located on the
School of Education website. No late applications will be accepted. B or better is
required for the practicum.

Application to CMAT 5093, Apprentice Teaching: Middle School

Successful completion of CMAT 5092 Apprentice Teaching: Middle School is required
to meet the graduation requirements of the MAT in middle school education.

Application and registration in CMAT 5092 must be approved in writing by the student's
advisor by September 15 for Spring placement and by February 15 for Fall placement.
Applications for apprentice teaching are completed through TK20. Directions are located
on the School of Education website. Students who are full-time paraprofessionals
or teachers in an approved educational setting may be eligible to earn credit for
Apprentice Teaching through an assessment process.

1) Students must have successfully completed all required courses for initial teacher
certification in middle school.

2) Students must have successfully completed CMAT 5092 Middle School Practicum with
a B or better

3) Students must have passed the state-required Content Area Exam. State-required
Content Area Exam with a qualifying score prior to registration in CMAT 5092, Apprentice
Teaching: Middle School. Students are limited to no more than two opportunities to
pass the state required content area exam. Please also see http://dese.mo.gov/eq/general-ed-assessments.htm for any state required content area exam updates.

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Admission

Students who are interested in applying to this degree program should also see the
Admission Section of this catalog for general requirements.

Admission Requirements for the University

Receipt of official transcript from the baccalaureate granting institution.

Completed application files will be reviewed by the School of Education Graduate Initial
Teacher Certification Committee.

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Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) represents a significant milestone in a candidate's
academic career. Candidates who successfully advance to candidacy have demonstrated
mastery of program standards and may continue enrolling in courses to complete their
major.